Staff Bios

Stacey "Ax" Axmaker is the Director of Idaho STAR. He took his first rider training course in 1991 and was so impressed he asked the instructor "how can I be an instructor?" and he has been teaching ever since. He has worked as a mentor instructor since 1994 and served as the Operations Manager for the TEAM OREGON motorcycle safety program from 1997 to 2002. He was one of the four individuals who developed the Basic Rider Training (BRT) curriculum, and has been active in new instructor training as well as designing and delivering mentor/leadership training for instructors. He also served as the STAR Program Training Manager from 2006 through 2008. Ax serves on the Idaho Traffic Safety Commission and is chair of the Idaho State Highway Safety Plan Motorcycle Safety Committee. He also holds a volunteer position with Motorcycle Riders Foundation Awareness and Education. Ax currently rides a 1997 Honda Valkyrie Tourer.

Sunshine Gillett is the Training Manager of Idaho STAR. She has been riding motorcycles since 1998 and has been teaching STAR classes since 2003. As the program's full-time Training Manager, she manages the recruitment, training, and professional development of Instructors, Mentors, and Trainers statewide. She also monitors and promotes program quality assurance and oversees curriculum development for rider training. She has also created and delivered leadership and professional development workshops and training seminars for a wide range of audiences both at the local and national levels. Sunshine enjoys touring on either her 2001 Harley-Davidson FLHT or 2010 BMW R1200GS.

Marc Santoro is the Statewide Site Manager for Idaho STAR. He started riding dirt bikes at the age of 12, and made the switch to street bikes when he was 20. After taking an extended hiatus from riding, he realized his riding skills needed honing and he took a STAR training course as a student in 2003. From that moment on he was hooked on training. He became a STAR Instructor in 2004 and has also served as a Mentor Instructor and an Instructor Trainer, as well as a local Site Manager. As the Statewide Site Manager, he oversees the entire fleet of STAR training motorcycles, and works with the Training Manager to make sure that each training site in the state is ready to go for each and every class. Marc enjoys riding his 2009 Harley-Davidson Super Glide Custom.

Carly Oppie is the Office Manager for Idaho STAR. Originally from Montana, she has been with the program since 2008 and resides in Boise with her husband. Although Carly is not a rider, she has taken the Basic I course and had a ton of fun. She enjoys her fun and talented co-workers, as well as serving the riders and communities of Idaho.

 

 

Kathy Phillips is a STAR Administrative Assistant. She is originally from Delaware and after more than 20 years accompanying her "now retired" military spouse has settled in Boise, Idaho.

Kathy has been working for the program since May 2009. Even though she doesn't ride, she is an avid supporter of the program and enjoys being part of the STAR family.

 

 

Kris Turner is a STAR Administrative Assistant. Originally from Eastern Idaho, Kris moved to the Treasure Valley and has resided there for 20 years.  She is excited to be a part of the STAR family, as her husband is an avid rider and sets a great example for her two young boys. Who knows? Maybe we’ll be seeing her on a bike before too long…

 

Maria Ortega is the Communications Manager for Idaho STAR. She manages communication, public relations, and marketing activities, as well as community outreach efforts for the program. Maria has over 15 years of experience in communications. She believes effective communication is critical to fulfill STAR’s mission to educate and increase awareness of motorcyclists, and she’s excited to be part of the STAR team, where everyone is a strong advocate for the program. After living in Spain, Utah, and Washington, Maria was happy to settle in Boise with her husband and son.